Chapter 702 Isadora, Back to My Arms 1
Time felt suspended.
Isadora stared at Avery in the rain. Droplets pattered against the black umbrella he held over her, the sound sharp and delicate, like tiny threads snapping one by one.
She could almost believe the rain had slid from the umbrella to her own skin, running down to the corners of her eyes. Why else would her face feel so cold?
Avery reached out and brushed away the moisture at her lashes.
His voice was low, threaded with something achingly gentle, "Poor little thing, abandoned."
The words sent a shiver through her. Not just from the cold, but from the way they seemed to land directly on her heart.
She tried to turn her face away, but his palm came up, covering her cheek completely, holding her still.
She had nowhere to run. "I am not some poor little thing who's been abandoned," she said sharply.
Avery's mouth curved. "Aren't you?"
She glared at him, not realizing her eyes were already glassy with unshed tears. To him, she looked fragile in a way that made something deep inside him ache.
His voice softened to a whisper. "Come back to me. Even if the world turns away, I never will."
"Isadora..." The way he said her name was almost a caress. "I want you."
Her tears gathered, threatening to spill.
She trembled, but forced the words out with all the strength she had left. "But Avery, I don't want you."
He didn't get angry. Instead, he placed the umbrella in her hands and wrapped his own over them. His palms were warm against the chill of the early spring rain.
His voice was steady, almost tender, "That's fine. I can wait."
She looked up at him, startled.
He insisted on driving her home.
At first she refused, but he said quietly, "What am I supposed to do? My ex-girlfriend just got her heart broken. As her ex, I should at least check if she's okay."
She wanted to curse him, but before she could, his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her against him.
The rain was damp and cold, the world around them blurred in gray. His body was warm against hers, and his scent — familiar, edged with a faint trace of fresh tobacco — told her he'd been waiting outside for a long time. She didn't dare ask.
She was afraid to waver, afraid to soften, afraid she'd fall back into him. But trust between them had already been shattered.
His voice brushed her ear. "We can talk about the rest later. Let me take you home. Mrs. Penrose is probably worried. Serafina called me earlier and asked me to check on you."
Serafina.
Isadora froze for a moment.
Before she could ask, Avery was already leading her to the passenger side, opening the door and guiding her in.
When she tried to get back out, he blocked the door, bending down so his eyes met hers directly. "Be good."
Five minutes later, he was behind the wheel, driving her car through the rain.
He drove smoothly, the wipers sweeping back and forth in a steady rhythm. Outside, the rain blurred the world into shifting shadows.
Isadora leaned back in her seat, her expression unreadable. Then Avery said quietly, "If you want to cry, cry. And when you're done, forget about Tobias."
She didn't respond at first. Nearly ten minutes passed before she asked, "Avery, are you trying to pursue me?"
His fingers twitched on the steering wheel, but his voice was light when he replied, "That obvious?"
She didn't answer.
And after that, neither of them spoke again. The silence settled between them, not awkward, just... there. For some people, this simple, quiet companionship would have been enough.
An hour later, Avery pulled up in front of the villa.
Lila came out to greet them. When the car door opened, she smiled and called out naturally, "Tobias."
A second later, she froze, staring at Avery's infuriatingly handsome face.
She was speechless. Questions hovered on her tongue, but she swallowed them down, managing only, "I made chicken soup. Avery, would you like to stay for a bowl?"